What became of Eastbourne girls' school?
Founded in Chiswick in 1827, it was the inspiration for Miss Pinkerton’s Academy in Thackeray’s Vanity Fair.
The school moved to Eastbourne in the late 19th century, first to Carlisle Road (now Gonville House of Eastbourne College) but within a few years transferred to the building that still carries its name in Upper Carlisle Road.
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Hide AdBy the time of the 1901 census, the girls were in their new, purpose-built school with its 14 bathrooms, a spacious gymnasium and ten music rooms. It had its own kitchen garden, playing fields and six tennis courts.
School fees were 41 guineas per term with supplements for music and riding.
The principal, Miss Wilson, presided over six governesses, six housemaids, a cook, a parlour maid, a kitchen maid, a scullery maid, a linen maid and a houseboy.
Ten years later another census reveals Jean Orr-Ewing, later the distinguished scientist involved in the discovery of penicillin.
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